Can my mum get a formal diagnosis and treatment without a biopsy?

Hi Confused family member,

Thank you for getting in touch with us and welcome to our online community.  My name is Adrienne and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists at Macmillan.

I’m so sorry to hear about your mum’s CT scan results.  When cancer has spread from one area in the body to another (or multiple areas in your mum’s case) and the doctors don’t know where it originated, it’s called a cancer of unknown primary (CUP). 

It’s understandable that you would be worried about her cancelling the biopsy appointment, as it’s an important part of the investigative process.  To find out where the cancer started.    If the doctors can find out where it originated (primary cancer site), they can offer the most appropriate treatment plan going forward. 

Not all cancers are uniform.  Different cancers have distinct genetic and molecular profiles.  Even within the same type of cancer (e.g. breast), the tumours can have different characteristics and mutations.  This means that certain treatments might be effective for one type of cancer and not another.  This is why the doctors carry out various tests, including biopsy, to try and find out where the cancer started. 

That being said, if the doctors don’t know, or can’t find out where the cancer started, there may still be treatment options available for your mum.  These may include chemotherapy or radiotherapy.  It is not usually possible to cure cancer that is advanced and has spread to other parts of the body.  But even if the cancer cannot be cured, it may be possible to control it for some time.

It's important that your mum has a conversation with her hospital team to discuss the plan going forward.  Whether that be NHS or private.  Both will want to gather as much information as possible before deciding on the best treatment plan for her and it’s important that any decisions your mum makes regarding tests, investigations and treatment are informed decisions.  Meaning that she understands the risks and benefits to anything being offered. 

This will be a stressful and difficult time for you too so it’s important that you look after yourself.  Reach out to family and friends if possible and please know that you can always give us a call on the support line.  It can help to talk things through and gives you the opportunity to ask any questions that may arise.

I hope this information was helpful.

Take care and best wishes,

Adrienne 

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

Ref:  AMc/AW